REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
MARCH 12, 2015
A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 12th day of March, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Watson presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Absent: Bendull.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are: approve invoices in the amount of $352,561.54, receive and file the February revenue and expenditure report, receive and file council meeting minutes of Feb. 26th and approve the renewal of a class b native wine permit with Sunday sales for the Hope Chest Antiques and Decor.
Hessenius reported that the Cultural, Recreation, Health and Social Services committee had met to discuss the open burning ordinance. This committee recommends changing the open burning to the last Thursday, Friday, Saturday in April and the first Thursday, Friday, Saturday in May, the last Thursday, Friday, Saturday in October and the first Thursday, Friday, Saturday in November, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, excluding Halloween. This topic will be discussed again at a future council meeting.
David Schechinger, Veenstra & Kimm engineer was present give their proposed agreement for flow metering and facility plan phase I for the wastewater treatment plant. Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to approve the agreement with Veenstra & Kimm. The maximum cost will be $81,000.00. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Schechinger will correct paragraph in the agreement about the insurance coverage. Flow meters will be installed soon.
Grant Rothweiler, PDCM Insurance, stated that switching the dental insurance from Assurant to MetLife could save the City and employees money. Other coverages of long term disability, vision and increasing the life insurance could be options for the City to consider. Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to table this subject. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Administrator Ward will schedule a work session with employees to discuss insurance.
Motion by Stark, second by Vermedahl to pass a RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT ANNUAL URBAN RENEWAL REPORT FOR FY 2014. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-15-01 passed and approved.
The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2015-2016. There were no comments. The Mayor closed the hearing.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Elwick to pass a RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2016. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-15-02 passed and approved.
Motion by Vermedahl, second by Hessenius to pass a RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF TAXES. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-15-03 passed and approved.
Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION APPROVING ENDING THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF VINTON AND FRIENDS OF THE SHELTER. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-15-04 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Stark to pass a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE 28E AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF VINTON AND CEDAR VALLEY HUMANE SOCIETY. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-15-05 passed and approved.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2015 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND GOAL SETTING REPORT. Question: Ayes – Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-15-06 passed and approved.
Mayor Watson spoke to Council encouraging them to promote housing. The electric utility purchased land on the west side of town that could be developed. Also, the Elwick family owns land at the southeast corner of town that could be developed. Don Eells, BOG member, asked Council to consider possible incentives for building homes. BOG is anticipating funds from ECICOG for processing a housing study. Safetea-Lu funds are available through ECICOG, that could be used for street projects. Also, there are some remaining funds from the last bond sale. Watson also stated that the sewer and water rates will have to be reviewed.
Bendull joined the meeting at 8:02 p.m..
Administrator Ward stated he and the Mayor are still working to get a recycling trailer placed back at the county shop. There are a couple options for this recycling trailer.
Motion by Elwick, second by Parmater to pass a RESOLUTION TO SET RECYCLING TUB FEE. Question: Ayes – Bendull, Elwick, Hessenius, Parmater, Stark, Vermedahl. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 03-15-07 passed and approved.
Council received a request to vacate an alley in the 800 block between B and C Avenues. Attorney Fischer will work on this request.
Administrator Ward reported: 1) Received request from Cobblestone Inn to promote the hotel. 2) He will be attending the IMMI Conference March 18 – 20th. 3) He suggests waiting till after the NCAA tournament is over before rocking any alley.
Clerk reported on: 1) Anticipated additional road use taxes of about $86,000. 2) Final submission of small project worksheets from the windstorm were given to Homeland Security. 3) Chicken/duck permit now available. 4) Anticipating a budget amendment for this fiscal year.
Good & Welfare: Donkey Basketball will be on March 24th. Officer Mike Severtsgaard’s retirement party is tomorrow, Friday afternoon. Wartburg band is coming to Vinton.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Time: 8:28 p.m..
________________________________
John R. Watson Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Cindy Michael City Clerk